Padres Mailbag: Who goes at deadline?

San Diego Padres relief pitcher Luke Gregerson heads to the dugout after giving up a double to Colorado Rockies' Carlos Gonzalez to tie up the game in the ninth inning of the Rockies' 8-7 victory in 10 innings in a baseball game in Denver on Sunday, June 9, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
— AP

San Diego Padres relief pitcher Luke Gregerson heads to the dugout after giving up a double to Colorado Rockies' Carlos Gonzalez to tie up the game in the ninth inning of the Rockies' 8-7 victory in 10 innings in a baseball game in Denver on Sunday, June 9, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
/ AP

MILWAUKEE, Wis.  With the trading deadline around a week away, the Padres Mailbag has been flooded with questions this week about who might be dealt at the deadline.

By the way, of the 20 questions received about the trading deadline this past week, only one still wondered about the Padres being buyers or sellers. That ship has sailed.

So if the Padres are selling, who goes?

Addressing the issue player by player in order of inquiries:

Edinson Volquez: The number of scouts visiting the Padres when the erractic right-hander pitches has thinned out. In other words, Volquez’s recent performances has turned many would-be suitors off. It could all depend Thursday’s start in Milwaukee.

Huston Street: Several contenders are looking for closers and even more are looking for bullpen help. Although he has converted 17 of 18 save opportunities this season, Street hadn’t looked overly sharp until his current run of six straight scoreless outings. Street has a 3.06 ERA in save situations, but has allowed eight homers in 14 2/3 innings in non-save situations. Any team trading for Street would also pick up his $7.5 million contract for 2014.

Carlos Quentin: To trade Quentin, the Padres would have to get permission from the left fielder, who has a total no-trade clause. Would the native San Diegan accept a trade, say to an American League contender needing a designated hitter? And do the Padres really want to trade their only outfielder who is a legitimate home run threat? Looking forward, losing Quentin leaves a huge hole to fill in future plans. Quentin is on pace to play more than 125 games this season with more than 400 at-bats.

Chase Headley: Even though Headley has fallen far short of duplicating the second half of 2012, there is a lot of interest in him. Everyone knows Headley is a free agent after the 2014 season and third basemen are in short supply. But can the Padres get full value for Headley given his 2013 season? Teams will be looking for a steal.

Chris Denorfia: Several readers remembered the versatile outfielder as being the most discussed Padre at the trading deadline last season. Perfect fourth outfielder for a contending team.

Luke Gregerson: Although he struggled going into the All-Star break, the slider specialist is still considered one of the top relievers in the National League. Other teams covet Gregerson the way the Texas Rangers coveted Mike Adams in 2011 – and the Rangers gave up two younger pitching prospects (Robbie Erlin and Joe Wieland) to get Adams. The trading spotlight might be on Huston Street, but it could be Gregerson or Dale Thayer that other teams want more.

Your Questions:

Q: Considering the possible suspension of Everth Cabrera, do the Padres consider Dean Anna a major league prospect? Brian K., San Diego

A: The Padres have viewed the versatile, 26-year-old middle infielder more as a 4-A player than a major league prospect. He is not on the 40-man roster. That said, Anna is having a breakout season at Triple-A Tucson, where he made the Triple-A All-Star team. After hitting .271 at Double-A San Antonio last season, Anna is hitting .333 with eight homers and 51 RBIs with Tucson. At the moment, he is likely the top middle infielder high in the system, although shortstop Jace Peterson is a prospect to watch at Single-A Lake Elsinore. Were the Padres to lose Cabrera, Logan Forsythe might get a chance to play short.

Q: Would Jason Marquis have been traded at the deadline if he hadn’t suffered that catastrophic elbow injury last week? Matt J., Chula Vista

A: Honestly, teams had shown almost no interest in Marquis.

Q: When is Kyle Blanks eligible to return from the disabled list and will he need a rehab assignment? Katie H., Solana Beach

A: He is eligible to return on July 27 and the Padres have not mentioned the possibility of a rehab assignment. However, they have not said anything about Blanks being ready to return on the 27th. He has been using his molded orthodics for less than a week.

Q: I don’t see Sean O’Sullivan and Tyson Ross being in the rotation at the end of the season. With there also being a strong possibility of Edinson Volquez being gone, who are three or four other starting pitchers we might see? Ryan L., San Diego

Q: Mark Kotsay hasn’t had a hit in more than a month. How long does he stay with the Padres? Todd C., San Diego

A: The left-handed pinch-hitter has a hitless run of 25 straight at-bats. He has been playing through foot problems. Just before Blanks went down, there was a possibility that Kotsay might be a candidate for the disabled list. Until Blanks is ready to return, there is no pressure on Kotsay’s roster spot.